Spring rabbit virus release update
During September 2019, R.A.I.N. released the K5 strain of the RHDV1 virus throughout the Ravensthorpe Shire area on behalf of Southern Biosecurity Group. The virus was released across 45 locations with the main focus around the Hopetoun region, as this was where most of the hotspots were identified.
The release methodology involved two nights of free feeding by the SBG contractor across all Hopetoun sites over Friday the 14th -15th September before treated oats were deployed on Monday the 16th September. Two nights of free feeding also occurred (as an in-kind contribution by the landholder) over the 21st-22nd of September at four West River locations before treated oats were released on Monday the 23rd of September across all West River and Munglinup sites.